Mike Russo was "discovered" by Fred McDowell who introduced him to me and which resulted in releasing his first LP on Arhoolie Records. He also played with Fred when they visited me in Berkeley back then - a wonderful ragtime and blues musician. Where is he at these days?
Mike is living in the Gearhart area of Oregon, and doesn't play so much anymore (but he still plays sometimes). His health isn't great, as he is 83. Its hard to get in-touch, but I know you can reach his daughter by email.
I moved to Oregon about a year ago and found this video because of my obsession with the blues and stackolee and man I would love to meet this guy and hear some of his stories. Such a cool energy and charisma. Hope he is well
i have a bunch of recordings of mike on my channel great live 12 string stuff as well as bluegrass. you have anymore recordings of mike. i do alot of research and im good friends with peter b lowry of trix records. studio work including the album you put out czcams.com/play/PLpnG2psBH4QuWYYIjHGRYqma9Gt3M2F-H.html czcams.com/video/dy5dthOwSx8/video.html Live, 90 percent of this is unissued from radio archives czcams.com/video/PX_Qg5ARXlg/video.html
Lord! This guy is nuts! I thought he was an Italian vaccum salesman or something and he just bursts out with pure, unadulterated soul. He's some kind of mutant between Delta Blues singers and Texas country howlers and other stuff I can't put my finger on. Amazing, I can't believe I had never heard of him. Thank you for posting this.
0:33 Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home 3:24 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl 6:45 The Old Fall River Line 7:56 The Delia Fling 9:50 Stagger Lee/Stack’ O Lee/Stagolee
Mike (guitar) and my ex, Ron Brentano (banjo) played together at the 13th Avenue Gallery and other venues in Portland, Oregon during the early 1960's. Ron died a few years ago. I heard that Mike is living somewhere on the north Oregon Coast. They were originally signed to play their adaptation in the movie "Deliverance", but it was performed by others.
Thank you for this post, I was wondering what ever happened to Mike and Ron. Used to go down the the 13th Avenue Gallery every weekend to listen to them play. Sorry to hear about Ron.
It never stops to throw me I been playing guitar for 25 years now and I hear a fellow like this and say well Jeremy you better learn knew songs! I love that I kept my granddad's music in my life all these years cause fok music is rare now in 2022. All the kids love is hippy hop.
Hip hop was originally folk music - like Rock & Roll - until it got commercialized & marketed on a large scale. I know what you mean, though. I keep looking for new stuff & always seem to end up looking further & further back to the real roots.
He was so great, followed him in the early 60's at warehouses under Hawthorne Bridge in Portland Or. Also Reed college and anywhere else we could find him. I have an album, one of the songs he lists as Stack O'Lee. His address as of '02 was PO Box 2414, Gearhart, Or 97138-2414. Such a cool guy, might like to hear from anybody. He would be about 76yrs now.
Hello there, can you tell me if it’s still possible to get a hold of his records? There’s no information about him anywhere! It’s amazing that you’ve seen him
Really glad my surfing led me here. Cannot believe I have never heard of him. Hoping I can find more of his stuff. Really, really excited to find this footage,
@@undergodot I found a link for a physical copy of his album, but they are also here on CZcams. www.downhomemusic.com/product/mike-russo-his-guitar-piano/
These videos and the original recordings are complete hidden treasures, even how they show you the fretboard and arpeggio/ strumming over everything else 👌
Used to go see him play in the 60's with Ron Brentano on the banjo at the 13th Avenue Coffeehouse, a center of the folk music scene in Portland. Still have his LP he recorded in 1969.
Good Morning Little School Girl sounds like one of the John Mayall songs he found and recorded. Great Stuff I love that he finger picks with just his thumb and for finger. Cool!
Wow, what a sound on one guitar this man made, .insane ! And, believe me,..I saw the little dog jumping up and down !! Thats absolute crazy,.. A GENIUS 👍👍👍
Insane!!!! Watched both parts about 50 times... Someone must know how to play gallows pole?????????? I would give my good nut to for some tab or anyone can see how he is doing that in part 2, there is a cover on here that is close... but no cigar!
There is tab for Gallis Pole in "Lead Belly No Stranger to the Blues" TRO Folkways Music Publishers and some amount of tab in "The 12-String Guitar as Played By Leadbelly" by Julius Lester and Pete Seeger.
Bob ZmudaVision lets be honest, the best tab in the world ain't going to help much. This is some sell your soul to the devil Voodoo Magik he's doing to play like that.
@@girboz your comment "no soul" is totally inappropriate, arrogant too. Obviously you don't know what "soul" is. This guy's a natural musician, he's got style, technique, originality, creativity, sincerity and just for you - a soul.
Mike Russo was "discovered" by Fred McDowell who introduced him to me and which resulted in releasing his first LP on Arhoolie Records. He also played with Fred when they visited me in Berkeley back then - a wonderful ragtime and blues musician. Where is he at these days?
Nice to hear your voice, as it were, Mr. Strachwitz, And thank you so much.
Wow...is this THE Chris Strachwitz? Have I just found a living legend in a CZcams comments section? Thank you for all you have done Mr Strachwitz
Mike is living in the Gearhart area of Oregon, and doesn't play so much anymore (but he still plays sometimes). His health isn't great, as he is 83. Its hard to get in-touch, but I know you can reach his daughter by email.
I moved to Oregon about a year ago and found this video because of my obsession with the blues and stackolee and man I would love to meet this guy and hear some of his stories. Such a cool energy and charisma. Hope he is well
i have a bunch of recordings of mike on my channel great live 12 string stuff as well as bluegrass. you have anymore recordings of mike. i do alot of research and im good friends with peter b lowry of trix records.
studio work including the album you put out
czcams.com/play/PLpnG2psBH4QuWYYIjHGRYqma9Gt3M2F-H.html
czcams.com/video/dy5dthOwSx8/video.html
Live, 90 percent of this is unissued from radio archives
czcams.com/video/PX_Qg5ARXlg/video.html
Lord! This guy is nuts! I thought he was an Italian vaccum salesman or something and he just bursts out with pure, unadulterated soul. He's some kind of mutant between Delta Blues singers and Texas country howlers and other stuff I can't put my finger on. Amazing, I can't believe I had never heard of him. Thank you for posting this.
Italian are not only pizza mamma and spaghetti...remember man
Dude this guy is a beast.
He'd give the rev. A run for his money.
@@itsallaroundyou7085 If this guy did an album with Rev. Gary Davis that would’ve been spectacular.
@@itsallaroundyou7085 I can't believe you went there. I love rev but man I've never seen this guy before, but man. Mind blown speechless.
Man what a Chestnut this guy is. Holy crap! I'm amazed that I never heard of him. He's outstanding! What energy!!
0:33 Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
3:24 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
6:45 The Old Fall River Line
7:56 The Delia Fling
9:50 Stagger Lee/Stack’ O Lee/Stagolee
Stack’ O Lee
Thanks Jim
What an amazing guitarist
Mike (guitar) and my ex, Ron Brentano (banjo) played together at the 13th Avenue Gallery and other venues in Portland, Oregon during the early 1960's. Ron died a few years ago. I heard that Mike is living somewhere on the north Oregon Coast. They were originally signed to play their adaptation in the movie "Deliverance", but it was performed by others.
Thank you for this post, I was wondering what ever happened to Mike and Ron. Used to go down the the 13th Avenue Gallery every weekend to listen to them play. Sorry to hear about Ron.
Gypsy Copeland wow your a lucky woman i am 23 yrs old from calif and me and my friends love them both wish we had more recordings
Gypsy Copeland we send our best regards and California
I would like to send him a letter, his guitar playing is some of the best ive seen
Nice - never heard him before - he should have been more renowned.
Mike is a amazing. Saw him at a part in Portland in about 1970. He blew my mind. What an amazing time.
Amazing artist never heard of him , in the uk , he’s brilliant
Ive been listening to this set of videos by this legend for the last 10+ years, just wanted to say my appreciation for this upload.
7:57 - the end of the video is pure brilliance. What a guy!
"Delia" ... Wow what a song!
Absolutely great! He looks quite stoned to be honest. Hidden gem.
Is drugs all u can think of? Thats sickening!
The beauty of music is discovering guys like this...
blown away - what a style!
It never stops to throw me I been playing guitar for 25 years now and I hear a fellow like this and say well Jeremy you better learn knew songs! I love that I kept my granddad's music in my life all these years cause fok music is rare now in 2022. All the kids love is hippy hop.
Hip hop was originally folk music - like Rock & Roll - until it got commercialized & marketed on a large scale.
I know what you mean, though. I keep looking for new stuff & always seem to end up looking further & further back to the real roots.
He was so great, followed him in the early 60's at warehouses under Hawthorne Bridge in Portland Or. Also Reed college and anywhere else we could find him. I have an album, one of the songs he lists as Stack O'Lee. His address as of '02 was PO Box 2414, Gearhart, Or 97138-2414. Such a cool guy, might like to hear from anybody. He would be about 76yrs now.
he's got really fast hands and a nice voice
Hello there, can you tell me if it’s still possible to get a hold of his records? There’s no information about him anywhere! It’s amazing that you’ve seen him
Fascinating singer and guitar player...
This is more than amazing. Just WOW
Really glad my surfing led me here. Cannot believe I have never heard of him. Hoping I can find more of his stuff. Really, really excited to find this footage,
Have you found out anymore about him? I’m searching for a record to buy, can’t find anything
@@undergodot I found a link for a physical copy of his album, but they are also here on CZcams.
www.downhomemusic.com/product/mike-russo-his-guitar-piano/
How can i send a letter to this man to thank him for his work. Some of the best guitar playing ive ever seen.
He's the Italian version of Roy Clarke
He is a real Original, My hats off to Mike.
Thank you for the music Mr Russo, white man & black soul.
Thank you for posting this!!
So glad I discovered this artist.
massimo d alema sing the blues
Me. Mum was in a band with him one time I went over for dinner and who was there......Brownie McGee!!!
This guy is a hell of a songster.
These videos and the original recordings are complete hidden treasures, even how they show you the fretboard and arpeggio/ strumming over everything else 👌
Just wow. Gonna rewatch this about 50 times. I’m making it a priority to learn all of these pieces. What a hidden gem.
Let me know how that goes. Would be interested in learning.
FolkSeattle ! Thank you for posting this.
Didn't know him! Thanks! Greetings froms Argentina
He’s a gem and I’ve never heard of him
love this guitar picken canada
This just sounds so good
Umas das melhores intérpretes de leadbelly, que já vi
Musicos de uma época que musicos já nasciam musicos viu os caras eram a inspiração em pessoa
those pinky bends are crazy!
Wow, Mike Russo is a technically gifted guitar player with a great voice 🎸.
Used to go see him play in the 60's with Ron Brentano on the banjo at the 13th Avenue Coffeehouse, a center of the folk music scene in Portland. Still have his LP he recorded in 1969.
One of my influences
Good Morning Little School Girl sounds like one of the John Mayall songs he found and recorded. Great Stuff I love that he finger picks with just his thumb and for finger. Cool!
Mississippi Fred McDowell
Wow, what a sound on one guitar this man made, .insane ! And, believe me,..I saw the little dog jumping up and down !! Thats absolute crazy,..
A GENIUS 👍👍👍
I so wish there was tab for Mike. We could learn so much from him.
Arhoolie 1046 - Fred McDowell brought me here. Bless Mike’s and Fred’s hearts!
He came to clean the pool, but stayed to play the guitar 👏
Thanks man!
I want that guitar!
wow awesome
wow, how come I didn't know him?! he's good
BOMB !
wow!!!!!!!
the ballad of stagolee
Oh Yeah Some Great Pickin✌💙
so killer
Lloyd Price had a big hit under the title "Stagger Lee", but I've seen it as stagolee, Stackolee...several spellings since Lead Belly's day.
I had no idea mike russo was still alive!, i cant beleive it!!, do you know if there is any way i can get into contact with him???
Thanks Folkseattle...
i have the same dog…
only 2 fingers. this guy is wild
Not bad for a sign painter.
Man, how many strings did Mike Russo go through in one year? Does anyone know what type of strings he used?
Holy shyatt! I thought Doc Watson was good but damn this guy rules!
Doc Watson IS good haha, this guy is also good
I want that the FUCKING guitar...
love it.
The only white artist signed by Arhoolie Records...the man had a huge heart...
Chris Strachwicz (sp) must have loved his performances.
Insane!!!! Watched both parts about 50 times... Someone must know how to play gallows pole?????????? I would give my good nut to for some tab or anyone can see how he is doing that in part 2, there is a cover on here that is close... but no cigar!
There is tab for Gallis Pole in "Lead Belly No Stranger to the Blues" TRO Folkways Music Publishers and some amount of tab in "The 12-String Guitar as Played By Leadbelly" by Julius Lester and Pete Seeger.
Bob ZmudaVision lets be honest, the best tab in the world ain't going to help much. This is some sell your soul to the devil Voodoo Magik he's doing to play like that.
when was this film recorded? late 60's???
Didn't know Leadbelly composed "Good morning schoolgirl"... I thought its Sonny Boy Williamson.
And this guy is great BTW
nosorog91 It is sonny. Not Leadbelly
Sonny did, but leadbelly did record a song with the same melody, different lyrics. I think it was called V-8 Ford or something like that
Does anyone know the name of the last song he plays?
Does anybody know if there is a complete collection of these videos for purchase that FolkSeattle has here?
Some are available from Steffan Grossman music.
Does anyone know of any mike russo albums or compilations featuring him???
www.discogs.com/Mike-Russo-Mike-Russo/release/3833108
Only one I was able to find, a few used vinyls of it available on there
I still have that LP album!
I wonder if Vince Russo is related to this guy
what is the first song.
Please?
Won't you come home Bill Baillie
Ahahah vero
Thanks! The ending was classic click bait for part two.
What year?
Unibrow.
A case of missing history.
Wait. It isnt missing.
It seems like Milk Carton Kids plays like him.
what tuning is he in?
Standard intervals, I don't know if he sharp or flat
@@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer I tried that chromatic walk down that looks like he's in c but it sounds wrong
And, by the way, manseau48, Mike is still alive...so, no RIP needed. Yay!
Primarily an artist. ("sign painter" - ha!) www.michaelrusso.us/biography/
no soul at all but look at him bend that string with his pinky!
No soul? Are you deaf?
Insane u must be...
As fake as they come
@@girboz Hm? Fake?
@@girboz your comment "no soul" is totally inappropriate, arrogant too. Obviously you don't know what "soul" is. This guy's a natural musician, he's got style, technique, originality, creativity, sincerity and just for you - a soul.